Dead to Me

After her husband is killed in a hit and run, Jen Harding, a sharp tongued, no-nonsense widow, is determined to find the driver who fled the scene. Her quest leads her to a meeting with Judy Hale, a sunny, freewheeling woman who seems harmless at first, but hides a much darker reality. The two strike up an improbable alliance that blends humor with danger, trust with suspicion, and truth with deception. As their bond grows, the pair stumble into a web of secrets, past lies, and morally gray choices that pull them into crises neither anticipated. The show uses brisk dialogue, tight pacing, and offbeat humor to explore grief and revenge without losing emotional bite. Its tone stays lean throughout.

Released on Netflix in 2019, Dead to Me was created by Liz Feldman. It is an original series not adapted from another work, propelled by writing and a chemistry heavy on the dynamic between Jen and Judy, with strong performances.

Dead to Me earned multiple Emmy nominations, with critics praising the performances of Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini. The show also drew attention during awards season for its bold tonal shifts and punchy writing that kept audiences guessing, while its clever plotting earned praise from critics.

Critics and fans alike noted Dead to Me for blending humor with high stakes drama, turning grief into a vehicle for black comedy and twisty suspense. The show sparked conversations about secrecy, forgiveness, and the price of loyalty in friendships, helping shape a trend toward character driven streaming thrillers.

Viewers praised the chemistry between Applegate and Cardellini and the series bold approach to grief, guilt, and moral ambiguity. Its brisk pacing, sharp humor, and dramatic reversals make it a standout among streaming crime dramedies, inviting repeat viewing and lively online discussion about whose side you take.